Man Utd star left Villa because of Gerrard's Liverpool links - agent
Robin Bairner
- 10 Jan 2022 21:42 GMT
- 3 min read
Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe cut short his loan deal with Aston Villa because Steven Gerrard was appointed manager of the Birmingham club.
Gerrard replaced Dean Smith in charge at Villa Park in the autumn following a poor run of form and has successfully steadied the club.
It was not, however, a move that suited Manchester United academy graduate Tuanzebe, who immediately dropped out of the first-team picture and managed to pick up only eight minutes under Gerrard.
Trending
While it was clear the 24-year-old defender’s influence at Villa Park was depreciating, his brother and agent has bizarrely claimed that Tuenzebe instead elected to leave the club because of Man Utd’s long-standing rivalry with Liverpool, where Gerrard was an icon during his playing days.
It felt as if the rivalry between Man Utd and Liverpool came to life
- Dimitri Tuanzebe“Following the arrival of Steven Gerrard at Villa Park, it felt as if the rivalry between Man Utd and Liverpool came to life,” Dimitri Tuanzebe claimed.
“For the avoidance of doubts, Axel was very open to staying at Villa, he loves the fans, being in Birmingham, but he also has a career that he can only build and reach his full potential in an environment where opportunities to play are fair.”
Tuenzebe given Napoli chance
Tuanzebe, meanwhile, departed Aston Villa to instead switch on loan to Serie A outfit Napoli.
“Axel is very excited to begin a new chapter in his football career, playing abroad and for a club with so much history behind it and fans who worship football,” Dimitri claimed.
“Axel didn't decide to move until it became very clear that he isn't the manager's first-choice centre-back and the Napoli offer was very tempting.”
Tuanzebe will spend the rest of the season on loan at Napoli from Man Utd and could debut against Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia on Thursday.
